A husband and wife found slain in their eastern Birmingham home were "two of the finest people you could ever hope to meet," according to friends of the couple.

"Our community is heartbroken by the loss of Mary and Steve Holt to a senseless act of violence,'' according to a GoFundMe launched to help with burials. "Mary was beyond kind. She gave me a hug each and every time I saw her (and I mean EVERY TIME). Steve was the happiest man - youthful and enthusiastic about a wide variety of topics. He could talk about Native American pottery, whiskey distillation, herb gardens, politics, and fish, just to name a few."

The campaign was started by friends at Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn where, they wrote, "Mary and Steve's presence is imprinted."

The couple's bodies were discovered Thursday afternoon inside their house on Ninth Court Circle South. Jefferson County Coroner's officials said their bodies were found at 3:50 p.m. Aug. 2 when East Precinct officers responded to the neighborhood after they were notified about a child wandering the street alone.

Sgt. Johnny Williams said the child's clothing was stained with blood, but the child was not injured, police said. The child - the Holts' 3-year-old granddaughter - led officers to her grandparents inside the home. Both adults were pronounced dead on the scene at 4:41 p.m.

Birmingham police have not announced any possible motive or suspect in the double slaying.

The couple - who lived in the neighborhood for decades - leaves behind two sons with families of their own. "This tragedy has put an immediate financial burden on the family. We (their Grace Church family) are raising much-needed funds to cover funeral and other expenses, as well as the cost of sending Mary and Steve's granddaughter to daycare."

"Our church and the greater community have suffered a tremendous loss,'' said friend Lacinda Riesland, "and we are doing everything we can to ease the family's grief by taking away some financial worries."

Donations can be made here. The site said the funds will be given directly to the couple's sons. The funeral for the couple is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, at Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn on Saturday, August 18th at 11 a.m.

"Donations in any amount will be helpful and deeply appreciated,'' it reads. "If you are unable to give, please remember the family and friends in your prayers."

Friends are asking everyone to respect the family's privacy at this time.